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Title: Pain and Life Satisfaction: The Role of Emotional Support and Social Participation in Adults with Pediatric-Onset Spinal Cord Injury
Creator: Oh, Alison J.
Date: 2023
Description: Individuals who acquire a spinal cord injury (SCI) during their pediatric years are unique from individuals who acquire an SCI during...
Show moreIndividuals who acquire a spinal cord injury (SCI) during their pediatric years are unique from individuals who acquire an SCI during adulthood due to the heightened risks for developing secondary health conditions and chronic pain. These concerns may significantly impede developmental milestones and experiences, such as social participation, that may decrease life satisfaction. Thus, research on pain characteristics (e.g., frequency of pain, duration of pain, level of current pain, and level of general pain) alongside the role of emotional support and social participation on life satisfaction in adults with pediatric-onset SCI is needed. This study sample consisted of 205 individuals with pediatric-onset SCI who were former patients at pediatric hospitals in three metropolitan cities. Participants were individuals who were 19 years of age or older at the time of the interview, with the age of injury at 18 years or prior. Associations between demographic, pain, and injury characteristics, emotional support, social participation, and life satisfaction were assessed via bivariate Pearson correlations and a 3-block hierarchical multiple linear regression with LS as the primary outcome. Although pain characteristics and emotional support were not associated with life satisfaction among adults who sustained a pediatric-onset SCI, social participation was positively associated with life satisfaction. These findings suggest that clinicians should evaluate various pain characteristics and highlight the role of social participation when treating individuals with SCI.
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Title: Phase field modeling and computation of vesicle growth or shrinkage
Creator: Tang, Xiaoxia
Date: 2023
Description: Lipid bilayers are the basic structural component of all biological cell membranes. It is a semipermeable barrier to most solutes, including...
Show moreLipid bilayers are the basic structural component of all biological cell membranes. It is a semipermeable barrier to most solutes, including ions, glucoses, proteins and other molecules. Vesicles formed by a bilayer lipid membrane are often used as a model system for studying fundamental physics underlying complicated biological systems such as cells and microcapsules. Mathematical modeling of membrane deformation has become an important topic in biological and industrial system for a long time. In this thesis, we develop a phase field model for vesicle growth or shrinkage based on osmotic pressure that arises due to a chemical potential gradient. This thesis consists of three main parts.In the first part, we establish a phase field model for vesicle growth or shrinkage without flow. It consists of an Allen-Cahn equation, which describes the evolution of the phase field parameter (the shape of the vesicle), and a Cahn-Hilliard-type equation, which simulates the evolution of the ionic fluid. The model is mass conserved and surface area constrained during the membrane deformation. Conditions for vesicle growth or shrinkage are analyzed via the common tangent construction. We develop the numerical computing in two-dimensional space using a nonlinear multigrid method which is a combination of nonlinear Gauss-Seidel relaxation operator and V-cycles multigrid solver, and perform convergence tests that suggest an $\mathcal{O}(t+h^2)$ accuracy. Numerical results demonstrate the growth and shrinkage effects graphically and numerically, which agree with the conditions analyzed via the common tangent construction.In the second part, we present a model for vesicle growth or shrinkage with flow. The dynamical equations considered are an Allen-Cahn equation, which describes the phase field evolution, a Cahn-Hilliard-type equation, which simulates the fluid concentration, and a Stokes-type equation, which models the flow. The numerical scheme in two-dimensional space includes a nonlinear multigrid method comprised of a standard FAS method for the Allen-Cahn and Cahn-Hilliard part, and the Vanka smoothing strategy for the Stokes part. Convergence tests imply an $\mathcal{O}(t+h^2)$ accuracy. Numerical results are demonstrated under zero velocity boundary condition and with boundary-driven shear flows, respectively.In the last part, we give an unconditionally energy stable and uniquely solvable finite difference scheme for the model established in the first part. The finite difference scheme is based on a convex splitting of the discrete energy and is semi-implicit. One key difficulty associated with the energy stability is due to the fact that some nonlinear energy functional terms in the expansion is neither convex nor concave. To overcome this subtle difficulty, we add auxiliary terms to make the combined term convex, which in turn yields a convex–concave decomposition of the physical energy. As a result, both the unique solvability and energy stability of the proposed numerical scheme are assured. In addition, we show the scheme is stable in the defined discrete norm.
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Title: DEVELOPING FUSION BACTERIOCINS FOR ERADICATING PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA BIOFILMS
Creator: An, Sungjun
Date: 2022
Description: The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis patients and...
Show moreThe opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis patients and immunocompromised individuals. Due to its remarkable ability to resist antibiotics, eradicating P. aeruginosa has become increasingly difficult. As previously reported, we have successfully engineered a colicin-secretion system that kills target biofilm cells rapidly and selectively in multispecies biofilms as well as demonstrated the potential of using live microorganisms engineered to produce antimicrobial colicin protein to treat biofilm-associated infections. In this study,we constructed a fusion colicin-pyocin that could target P. aeruginosa by DNase activity of colicin E2. The newly engineered bacteriocin-secretion system upon the shift in target, maintained biofilm inhibition capacity. Both during biofilm formation and after its development, the system was able to suppress the P. aeruginosa biofilm. This result opened up the possibility that it could be used for novel live biotherapeutics. A further study was conducted to overcome the challenge of requiring an exogenous inducer. We applied the concept of Quorum-Sensing signal that recognize autoinducer as a trigger of fusion colicin-pyocin producing genetic circuit so that it automates the production and secretion of fusion colicin-pyocin as soon as the genetic circuit senses the target population growing. This study demonstrated that combining the domains of colicin and pyocin could broaden the genetic circuit target range, maintaining strain specificity, while employing the QS system could remove the fundamental problem of diffusion or degradation of extra compounds as they approach engineered cells.
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Title: PROGRAM SURVIVABILITY THROUGH K-VARIANT ARCHITECTURE
Creator: BEKIROGLU, BERK
Date: 2021
Description: Numerous software systems, particularly mission and safety-critical systems, require a high level of security during their execution....
Show moreNumerous software systems, particularly mission and safety-critical systems, require a high level of security during their execution. Enhancing software security through architecture is a highly effective method of defending against cyberattacks. The N-version is a software architecture that was developed to increase the security of software systems. In the N-version architecture, functionally equivalent versions of a program run concurrently to complete a mission or task. Each version is developed independently by a different team using only the software specifications in common. As a result, each version is expected to contain unique vulnerabilities. Due to the high cost of developing and maintaining an N-version system, this architecture is typically used only in high-budget projects requiring a high-security level. The K-variant, an alternative architecture for enhancing system security, is explained and analyzed in this thesis. In contrast to the N-version architecture, each variant is automatically generated using source-to-source program transformation techniques. Automation significantly reduces the cost of developing variants in the K-variant architecture. The K-variant architecture can help protect systems from memory exploitation attacks. Various attack strategies can be used against K-variant systems in order to increase the likelihood of a successful attack. Various attack strategies are proposed and investigated in this thesis. Furthermore, experimental studies are being conducted to investigate various defense mechanisms against proposed attack strategies. The effectiveness of each defense mechanism against various attack strategies is evaluated by using a metric of the probability of an unsuccessful attack. Additionally, various source code program transformation techniques for generating new variants in the K-variant architecture have been proposed and investigated experimentally. This thesis also describes a machine learning technique for estimating the survivability of K-variant systems under various attack types and defense strategies. To make the design of K-variant systems easier, a neural network model is proposed. With the developed tool that utilizes the neural network model, fast and accurate predictions about the survivability of K-variant systems can be obtained.
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Title: KERNEL FREE BOUNDARY INTEGRAL METHOD AND ITS APPLICATIONS
Creator: Cao, Yue
Date: 2022
Description: We developed a kernel-free boundary integral method (KFBIM) for solving variable coefficients partial differential equations (PDEs) in a...
Show moreWe developed a kernel-free boundary integral method (KFBIM) for solving variable coefficients partial differential equations (PDEs) in a doubly-connected domain. We focus our study on boundary value problems (BVP) and interface problems. A unique feature of the KFBIM is that the method does not require an analytical form of the Green’s function for designing quadratures, but rather computes boundary or volume integrals by solving an equivalent interface problem on Cartesian mesh. We decompose the problem defined in a doubly-connected domain into two separate interface problems. Then we evaluate integrals using a Krylov subspace iterative method in a finite difference framework. The method has second-order accuracy in space, and its complexity is linearly proportional to the number of mesh points. Numerical examples demonstrate that the method is robust for variable coefficients PDEs, even for cases when diffusion coefficients ratio is large and when two interfaces are close. We also develop two methods to compute moving interface problems whose coefficients in governing equations are spatial functions. Variable coefficients could be a non-homogeneous viscosity in Hele-Shaw problem or an uptake rate in tumor growth problems. We apply the KFBIM to compute velocity of the interface which allows more flexible boundary condition in a restricted domain instead of free space domain. A semi-implicit and an implicit methods were developed to evolve the interface. Both methods have few restrictions on the time step regardless of numerical stiffness. Theyalso could be extended to multi-phase problem, e.g., annulus domain. The methods have second-order accuracy in both space and time. Machine learning techniques have achieved magnificent success in the past decade. We couple the KFBIM with supervised learning algorithms to improve efficiency. In the KFBIM, we apply a finite difference scheme to find dipole density of the boundary integral iteratively, which is quite costly. We train a linear model to replace the finite difference solver in GMRES iterations. The cost, measured in CPU time, is significantly reduced. We also developed an efficient data generator for training and derived an empirical rule for data set size. In the future work, the model could be expanded to moving interface problems. The linear model will be replaced by neural network models, e.g., physics-informed neural networks (PINNs).
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Title: Implicit Theory of Willpower and Life Satisfaction Among Persons with Spinal Cord Injury
Creator: Cerny, Brian M.
Date: 2022
Description: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a leading cause of physical disability and physical, functional, and psychosocial outcomes vary among persons with...
Show moreSpinal cord injury (SCI) is a leading cause of physical disability and physical, functional, and psychosocial outcomes vary among persons with SCI. Persons with SCI are at risk for poor psychosocial adjustment, evidenced by higher rates of mood disorders and lower reported life satisfaction (LS) when compared to the general population. LS among persons with SCI is influenced by sociodemographic, injury-related, and psychosocial factors. Implicit theory of willpower (TOW) refers to individuals’ beliefs about their capacity for self-regulation; specifically, whether or not self-regulatory capacity (i.e., willpower) is depleted with use. TOW has previously been associated with LS and other aspects of subjective well-being. This is the first study to assess TOW among persons with SCI, and aims to investigate the association between TOW and LS among persons with SCI. The study sample consisted of 156 adults with SCI who completed an anonymous online questionnaire. Associations between demographic- and disability-related factors, global perceived stress, TOW, engagement coping, disengagement coping, and LS were assessed via bivariate Pearson correlations and a 3-block hierarchical multiple linear regression with LS as the primary outcome. LS was significantly correlated with age, perceived physical health, self-reported participation, and perceived stress. After controlling for the influence of other variables, age, perceived physical health, and perceived stress were significantly associated with LS, consistent with prior work. Neither TOW nor the interaction between perceived stress and TOW were significantly associated with LS. Post hoc analyses suggest a chronic disability population may have different interpretations of the TOW construct or measure items than populations previously investigated. Clinical implications and future directions for research are discussed.
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Title: Development of data assimilation for analysis of ion drifts during geomagnetic storms
Creator: Hu, Jiahui
Date: 2024
Description: The primary objective of this dissertation is to gain insight into geomagnetic storm effects at mid-latitudes induced by solar activity....
Show moreThe primary objective of this dissertation is to gain insight into geomagnetic storm effects at mid-latitudes induced by solar activity. Geomagnetic storms affect our everyday lives because they give rise to transient signal loss, data transmission errors, negatively impacting users of satellite navigation systems. The Nighttime Localized Ionospheric Enhancement (NILE) is a localized plasma enhancement that because it is not well understood, drives the design of satellite-based augmentationsystems. To better secure operation of technological infrastructure, it is essential to build a comprehensive understanding of the atmospheric drivers, especially during solar active periods. Instrument measurements and climate models serve as valuable tools in obtaining information regarding the occurrence of space weather events; nonetheless, both sources exhibit quantitative and qualitative limitations. Data assimilation, an evolving technique, integrates measurements and model information to optimize the state estimations. This dissertation presents developments in a data assimilation algorithm known as Estimating Model Parameters from Ionospheric Reverse Engineering (EMPIRE), and its applications in investigating the atmospheric behaviors under varying solar conditions. EMPIRE is a data assimilation algorithm specifically designed for upper atmospheric driver estimation of neutral wind and ion drifts at user-defined spatial and temporal scales. The EMPIRE application in this work aims to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of the NILE. EMPIRE utilizes the Kalman filter to optimize state calculations primarily based on electron density rates, provided by other data assimilation algorithms. Earlier runs of the algorithm used pre-defined values for the background state covariance cross time. To address model limitations under changing geomagnetic conditions, the algorithm is enhanced by concurrently updating the background state covariance during assimilation processes. Additionally, representation error is incor- porated as a component of the observation error, and error analysis is performed through a synthetic-data study. Previously, EMPIRE fused Fabry-Perot Interferometer (FPI) neutral wind measurements, demonstrating increased agreement with validation neutral wind data. In this work, this approach is extended to augment Coherent Scatter Radar (CSR) ion drift measurements from Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN), providing additional insights into EMPIRE’s estimated field-perpendicular ion motion. For an in-depth exploration of storm-related NILE, both EMPIRE and another data assimilation method, the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model with thermosphere and ionosphere eXtension coupled with Data Assimilation Research Testbed (WACCM-X + DART), is implemented for a storm event to test the proposed NILE driving mechanism. Furthermore, this dissertation introduces a Kalman smoother technique into the EMPIRE to enhance its ability to assess past storm events, and to explore the potential for algorithm improvements.
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Title: Impact of Social Constructs on Stereotype Threat and Working Memory in Older Adults
Creator: Laique, Aamir
Date: 2024
Description: Introduction/Background: When individuals underperform in a task or situation due to fear of confirming a negative stereotype about themselves...
Show moreIntroduction/Background: When individuals underperform in a task or situation due to fear of confirming a negative stereotype about themselves or a group they identify with, this psychological phenomenon is called “stereotype threat.”Objectives: This study focuses on older adults, who are often unfairly stereotyped as cognitively impaired. Declines in working memory (WM) can disrupt efficient information processing and both short- and long-term memory consolidation. Additionally, stigma consciousness and worry about developing dementia might influence this relationship, as these factors are particularly relevant to older adults. Methods: 103 older adults (Mage = 71.01 years old) recruited through ResearchMatch were screened via the telephone version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (T-MoCA), given two cognitive tests (WAIS-IV Digit Span Test and Arithmetic), Stigma Consciousness Questionnaire, Fear of Alzheimer’s Disease Scale, and a demographics questionnaire. Analysis completed through structural equational modeling and path analysis. Results: Our analysis did not reveal any significant findings in our path analysis or bivariate correlations. Thus, our hypotheses were not supported. Discussion: Despite the lack of findings, conducting a ST study by phone is an innovative approach that could expand research on ST outside traditional lab settings, where participants might otherwise feel less threatened and what this means for clinicians.
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Title: Machine Learning-Assisted Age of Information Optimization in Practical CSMA-Based Wireless Networks
Creator: Wang, Suyang
Date: 2024
Description: The demand for timely information updates is growing with the proliferation of real-time applications such as remote monitoring, autonomous...
Show moreThe demand for timely information updates is growing with the proliferation of real-time applications such as remote monitoring, autonomous vehicles, and Internet of Things (IoT) networks. The age of Information (AoI), a critical performance metric, quantifies the freshness of received information. This dissertation addresses the challenge of minimizing AoI in practical wireless networks employing carrier sense multiple access (CSMA). We propose a comprehensive framework combining analytical modeling and deep learning techniques to optimize AoI under diverse network conditions.First, we introduce a deep learning-facilitated framework that enables a tagged node to adaptively adjust its update rate based on local observations and background traffic, minimizing its AoI. Extensive simulations in IEEE 802.11 networks validate this framework’s effectiveness. We then extend the framework to IEEE 802.15.4 networks, incorporating key protocol characteristics such as clear channel assessments and retransmissions. Simulation results demonstrate its generalization capability and significant AoI improvement.Next, we develop a novel stochastic hybrid systems (SHS)-based analytical model to evaluate AoI in finite-buffer CSMA networks. By incorporating collision probabilities and leveraging deep learning to handle heterogeneous background traffic, this model achieves accurate AoI analysis. Numerical results from ns-3 simulations confirm its robustness and scalability across various scenarios. Furthermore, we explore the interplay between AoI and other metrics, introducing ``throughput weighted age of information (TwAoI)" to evaluate the joint performance of information freshness and channel utilization, and investigating the trade-off between information freshness and sampling cost.This research bridges theoretical insights and practical implementation, providing a suite of tools for AoI optimization in CSMA networks. The findings serve as a guideline for system designers and network administrators aiming to support real-time applications in dynamic and distributed wireless environments.
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Title: Alleviating Homelessness in Chicago: Alleviating Homelessness in Chicago - Poster
Creator: Degroff, Justin
Date: 2011, 2011-05
Description: Alleviating homelessness in Chicago through the creation of a network of self-sufficient, revenue generating support nodes.

Title: Graduate Student Dwelling
Creator: Janica, H
Date: 5/4/2011, 2011-05
Description: The project will seek to create an environment for that fosters living, community, and learning for graduate students at Illinois Institute of...
Show moreThe project will seek to create an environment for that fosters living, community, and learning for graduate students at Illinois Institute of Technology.
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Title: Graduate Student Dwelling: HEJanicaFinalBoard
Creator: Janica, H
Date: 5/4/2011, 2011-05
Description: The project will seek to create an environment for that fosters living, community, and learning for graduate students at Illinois Institute of...
Show moreThe project will seek to create an environment for that fosters living, community, and learning for graduate students at Illinois Institute of Technology.
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Title: Graduate Student Dwelling: HEJanicaMaster'sProjectBook
Creator: Janica, H
Date: 5/4/2011, 2011-05
Description: The project will seek to create an environment for that fosters living, community, and learning for graduate students at Illinois Institute of...
Show moreThe project will seek to create an environment for that fosters living, community, and learning for graduate students at Illinois Institute of Technology.
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Title: Urban Hybrid House
Creator: Machado, Beatriz Ferreira Pinto
Date: 5/4/2011, 2011-05
Description: The aim of this project is to develop a cluster of hybrid houses in Evanston designed to produce energy and reduce resources consumption in...
Show moreThe aim of this project is to develop a cluster of hybrid houses in Evanston designed to produce energy and reduce resources consumption in comparison to the houses surrounding it. The project goals are to demonstrate performance improvement. Maximize sun exposure and the interaction between the houses and its gardens. To raise awareness that it is possible to live in a more environmentally friendly unit without hardship is another purpose of the project.
Sponsorship: Denison, Dirk
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Title: ADAPTATION AND RENOVATION OF SCHULZE BAKERY TO A MIXED USE BUILDING
Creator: Al-guneid, Wigdan
Date: 5/2/2011, 2011-05
Description: Holding focus on techinics and strategies of development arc, a landmark building on the south side of Chicago will be re-adapted and...
Show moreHolding focus on techinics and strategies of development arc, a landmark building on the south side of Chicago will be re-adapted and transformed from a bakery to a much needed mixed use building.
Sponsorship: Waldorf, Tyler
Sponsorship: Denison, Dirk
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Title: ADAPTATION AND RENOVATION OF SCHULZE BAKERY TO A MIXED USE BUILDING: Schulze_poster
Creator: Al-guneid, Wigdan
Date: 5/2/2011, 2011-05
Description: Holding focus on techinics and strategies of development arc, a landmark building on the south side of Chicago will be re-adapted and...
Show moreHolding focus on techinics and strategies of development arc, a landmark building on the south side of Chicago will be re-adapted and transformed from a bakery to a much needed mixed use building.
Sponsorship: Waldorf, Tyler
Sponsorship: Denison, Dirk
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Title: ADAPTATION AND RENOVATION OF SCHULZE BAKERY TO A MIXED USE BUILDING: master thesis Final Booklet-wigdan al-guneid
Creator: Al-guneid, Wigdan
Date: 5/2/2011, 2011-05
Description: Holding focus on techinics and strategies of development arc, a landmark building on the south side of Chicago will be re-adapted and...
Show moreHolding focus on techinics and strategies of development arc, a landmark building on the south side of Chicago will be re-adapted and transformed from a bakery to a much needed mixed use building.
Sponsorship: Waldorf, Tyler
Sponsorship: Denison, Dirk
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Title: Alleviating Homelessness in Chicago
Creator: Degroff, Justin
Date: 2011, 2011-05
Description: Alleviating homelessness in Chicago through the creation of a network of self-sufficient, revenue generating support nodes.

Title: Alleviating Homelessness in Chicago: Alleviating Homelessness in Chicago - Book
Creator: Degroff, Justin
Date: 2011, 2011-05
Description: Alleviating homelessness in Chicago through the creation of a network of self-sufficient, revenue generating support nodes.

Title: Oil Rig Eco Hotel: OilRigEcoHotel_Brochure
Creator: Marcan, Stephanie
Date: 2011, 2011-05
Description: By refashioning the design and programmatic use of an offshore oil rig into a luxury hotel for ecotourists, a new age of responsible travel...
Show moreBy refashioning the design and programmatic use of an offshore oil rig into a luxury hotel for ecotourists, a new age of responsible travel may emerge. By twisting the symbol of oil dependency into an ecologically preserved, environmentally accountable and revenue-producing prototype, the ideals of reuse, energy and environment can be viewed through a new lens. This design creates interesting and innovative living spaces and environments aided by sustainable integrations to create a “living machine” that establishes connections between all building systems as well as inhabitant inputs and outputs resulting in an energy independent habitat.
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